06-01-2012, 11:25 AM
We had a Halstead Combi boiler at our last house. I chose it because it was the only Company that had a Technical Department that appeared to know what they were talking about - I was worried about whether the pressure and flow available were adequate. I installed it and then got a Gas Fitter to connect it up and test it. It worked faultlessly for ten years and then began to trip out intermittently - overheat. I couldn't find anything wrong so I summoned up the experts. Two of them poked about for a bit and then decided that it must either be the PCB or Heat Exchanger, either of which would be more than the boiler was worth. I persuaded them to ring Halstead Technical Dept. who immediately diagnosed the problem as a dirty fan. They cleaned the fan, tested - it worked fine - stuck a sticker on the boiler proclaiming that they were agents for another (Italian) Manufacturer, charged us about £80 for the privilege and went away. They also told stories about how dreadful Halstead boilers were. Perhaps they didn't break down often enough, or their complexity exceeded the intellect of the average Fitter. After we moved, as far as I know, the boiler continued to work for several more years before it was replaced during a general house refurbishment and extension building programme. A colleague where I used to work has an even older model which he continues to refurbish. Spares don't appear to be a problem.
Alan
Alan
